Sarah Przybylska

Professional Discipline

Sarah has been ranked by the professional directories as a leading barrister in this field since she was six years’ call.

• Sarah has an extensive and varied practice in professional regulation, representing individuals from farriers to sea captains.
• She represents healthcare professionals who face proceedings brought by their regulators. She is instructed by the MDU, MPS, MDDUS and Dental Protection. She represents such clients on appeal and in related proceedings in the criminal and coroner’s courts.
• She also acts for a number of healthcare regulators and has considerable experience supervising and coordinating complex investigations and advising on potential public law challenges to decisions.
• She has an excellent track record in drafting successful written representations to case examiners on discontinuance of charges.
• She has represented farriers, vets and racehorse trainers. She has ridden since childhood and married into a farming family, which has led to a particular interest in equestrian and veterinary matters, and those touching on rural affairs more generally.
• Sarah has acted for a number of education and social care providers in relation to suspension and disqualification notices issued by Ofsted, both in judicial review proceedings and by drafting representations to Ofsted.

Notable Cases:

Oil Companies International Marine Forum v Captain PS

Represented a sea captain and accredited vessel inspector accused of breaching OCIMF rules on the inspection of oil container ships. Panel found no case to answer on the facts.

General Dental Council v D

Successfully argued to exclude the hearsay evidence of the complainant and all witnesses of fact in an allegation of sexual harassment against a dental nurse.

General Dental Council v M

Represented a dentist accused of serious failings in relation to the treatment of 25 patients over 15 years. Panel found no case to answer on the facts in relation to all but record-keeping charges, in relation to which no impairment was found.

General Medical Council v P

Represented a consultant anaesthetist accused of misconduct in relation to behaviour in his private life, which had no bearing on his professional activities nor did it require proceedings in the public interest. Case closed with no action following submissions to the case examiners.

British Horseracing Authority v M

Represented a racehorse trainer accused of deliberately racing a horse which had been operated on to numb a foot permanently. Limited factual findings made against the trainer leading to an unusually short period of disqualification.

General Medical Council v O

Successfully appealed the GMC’s decision to refused registration of an Iraqi-qualified ophthalmic surgeon suspected of falsifying documents in support of his application.

General Dental Council v P

Represented a dentist accused of dishonesty and clinical failings. Dishonesty charges dismissed; Panel found no misconduct in relation to the remaining charges.